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  • Weather Dependent - Low
  • Ports of Call Tours
  • Private Sightseeing Tours
  • City Tours

Istanbul Old City Highlights: Private Walking Tour

5.0(94 reviews)Istanbul, TurkeyOperated by Istanbul Untold Tours
  • Duration4 hours – 6 hours
  • GroupPrivate tour
  • TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
  • LanguagesEnglish
  • BookingInstant confirmation

About this activity

Explore Istanbul’s Old City with a private licensed guide dedicated to your group. Discover the stories behind its iconic landmarks at a pace that suits you, with time for questions, photos, and breaks.

Shape your route with your guide around the places that interest you most. Suggested highlights include the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, and Grand Bazaar. Your interests and the available time help determine the final itinerary.

Choose which ticketed attractions, if any, you would like to enter. Admission tickets are not included and are paid separately only for the attractions you choose to enter.

From Byzantine monuments to Ottoman architecture, your guide connects the sights with the people and events that shaped Istanbul, making your walk a personal and engaging introduction to the city.

What to expect

4 hours – 6 hours6 stopsPrivate tour

  1. Hippodrome

    At MeydanI Cd No:21, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye

    20 minutes

    Explore the Hippodrome, once the center of Byzantine chariot racing and public life. Discover the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column, and the Walled Obelisk as your guide explains their history and significance.

  2. Blue Mosque

    Sultanahmet Mah At Meydani Cad No 7, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye

    25 minutes

    Visit the Blue Mosque, one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks. Admire its decorative tiles, grand dome, and elegant calligraphy as your guide explains the mosque’s history, architecture, and place in the city’s religious life.

  3. Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

    Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya MeydanI No:1, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye

    45 minutesAdmission not included

    Discover Hagia Sophia as your guide explains its history and significance across the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Learn about its remarkable architecture and changing role over the centuries.

  4. TopkapI Palace

    Cankurtaran Mah. BabI Humayun Cad. No:1, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye

    2 hoursAdmission not included

    Discover Topkapi Palace, once home to Ottoman sultans and the center of imperial power. Learn about palace life and the history of the Ottoman court with your private guide.

  5. Basilica Cistern

    Yerebatan Caddesi, No:1/3, Istanbul, 34410, Turkiye

    30 minutesAdmission not included

    Discover the Basilica Cistern, an underground reservoir showcasing Byzantine engineering. Admire its rows of columns and softly lit atmosphere as your guide explains its history and role in supplying water to the city.

  6. Grand Bazaar

    Kalpakcilar Cad. Sorguclu Han No: 22, Beyazıt Mah., Istanbul, 34126, Turkiye

    45 minutes

    Immerse Yourself in Tradition. Explore one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, with over 4,000 shops spread across 61 streets. Discover an incredible variety of goods, from exquisite jewelry and handcrafted ceramics to luxurious textiles and aromatic spices, enjoy tastings of Turkish delights, teas, and other local delicacies as you wander through the bazaar.

Pickup & meeting point

You can choose either hotel/location pickup or to meet the guide at the start point.

You can request a pickup location of your own.

Start

German Fountain

End

Pickup locations3,010

The operator lists 3,010 pickup points. 40 are shown here; choose yours from the full list when you book.

Hotels & residences40

  • Harbour Suites Old CityKadirga Liman Cad. Kumluk Sok No: 4, Sehsuvar Bey Mah., Istanbul, 34130, Turkiye
  • Atlantis Royal HotelDizdariye Cesmesi Sk. No:53, Binbirdirek, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye
  • Vardar Palace HotelSIraselviler Cd. No:16, Istanbul, 34433, Turkiye
  • Gulseda Otel ApartTaksim Firini Sk. No:16, Sehit Muhtar Mahallesi, Istanbul, 34435, Turkiye
  • Imagine Istanbul - SultanahmetPertevpasa Sk. No: 57, Emin Sinan Mah, Istanbul, 34126, Turkiye
  • Hotel Inter IstanbulMithatpasa Caddesi Buyuk Haydar Efendi Sokak No 29, Mimar Kemalettin, Istanbul, 34126, Turkiye
  • Union Hotel PortFindikli Celebi HamamI Sk. No 14, Ömer Avnı Mh., Istanbul, 34427, Turkiye
  • Xenia Hotel IstanbulKeresteci Hakki Sokak No 7-9, Sultan Ahmet, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye
  • AHC Ayasofya Hotel - Special ClassPiyer Loti Cad. No: 1, Istanbul, 34400, Turkiye
  • Meddusa HotelAlemdar Mh. Nuru Osmaniye Cad. No: 5, Cagaloglu, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, 34400, Turkiye
  • Gulhane Corner HotelHudavendigar Cad. Saffeti Pasa Sok. No:12, Hoca Pasa Mah., Istanbul, 34110, Turkiye
  • Chambers of the BohemeKucuk Parmak Kapi Sok. No:13, Chambers of the Boheme, Istanbul, 34433, Turkiye
  • Ess HotelSehit Muhtar Bey Caddesi 23, Beyoglu, Istanbul, 34437, Turkiye
  • Skalion HotelCifte Gelinler Cad. No: 6, Istanbul, 34130, Turkiye
  • Arts Hotel TaksimTopcu Cad. No. 11, Istanbul, 34437, Turkiye
  • Hotel V Plus TaksimKazancI Yokusu, Purtelas Sokak, No:06/A, Cihangir Mahallesi, Istanbul, 34433, Turkiye
  • Akdeniz HotelDivanyolu Cad. Haci Tahsin Bey Sokak No : 7, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkiye
  • Faros Hotel Old CityDivanyolu Cad. No:68, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye
  • Simper HotelKatip Kasim Mah. Turkeli Cad. Kiziltas Sok. No: 57, Aksaray, Fatih, Istanbul, 34130, Turkiye
  • The Marions Suite HotelPurtelas Sok. No:12, Cihangir, Istanbul, 34433, Turkiye
  • Calenberg HotelDaltaban Yokusu Sok. No:23, Nisanca Mah, Istanbul, 34130, Turkiye
  • Mukarnas Taksim HotelIpek Sok. No:6, Katip Mustafa Çelebi Mahallesi, Istanbul, 34433, Turkiye
  • Kupeli HotelEmin Sinan Hamam Sokak No:4, Emin Sinan Mah., Istanbul, 34130, Turkiye
  • Remall Suites HotelKocatape Mahallesi Feridiye Caddesi Asiklar Sok No 2, Istanbul, 90212, Turkiye
  • Taksim Star HotelSiraselviler Cd No:37, Taksim, Istanbul, 34437, Turkiye
  • B&B TaksimSehit Muhtar Mahallesi AltIn Bakkal Sokak No 4, Istanbul, 34435, Turkiye
  • Titanic City TaksimKocatepe Mah. Lamartin Cad. No:45-49, Kocatepe Mah., Istanbul, 34437, Turkiye
  • Style Star HotelCihangir Mahallesi, Baskurt Sokak 8, Istanbul, 34433, Turkiye
  • Grand Ambiance HotelAkbiyik Caddesi No:63 Sultanahmet, Istanbul, 34400, Turkiye
  • Livro HotelCemal Nadir Sok. No:9-11, Hobyar Mah, Istanbul, 34112, Turkiye
  • The Hotel IstanbulBinbirdirek Mah. Binbirdirek MeydanI Sok. No:17, Istanbul, 34400, Turkiye
  • Best Town PalaceIstasyon Arkasi Sokak, 9, Hocapasa Mah., Istanbul, 34110, Turkiye
  • Innpera HotelSiraselviler Cad. No: 15, Istanbul, 34437, Turkiye
  • Mahya HotelMolatasI Cad. No 78, Istanbul, 34130, Turkiye
  • Beyoglu Suites HotelSadri AlIsIk Sk. 12-16, Istanbul, 34440, Turkiye
  • Aprilis HotelPeykhane Sk. No 4, Binbirdirek Mh, Cemberlitas, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye
  • Modern SuitesDolapdere Caddesi No: 143-145, Istanbul, 34375, Turkiye
  • Mr Lion KumkapI HotelCifte Gelinler Cd Telli OdalarI Sokak No:46, Istanbul, 34130, Turkiye
  • Flower Palace HotelHudavendigar Cad, Saffeti Pasa Sk No:11, Hoca Pasa Mah, Istanbul, 34110, Turkiye
  • Royal Bosphorus HotelEbussuud Cad. No:6, Sirkeci-Fatih, Istanbul, 34110, Turkiye
  • You may choose to meet the guide at the departure point.
  • You can arrange your pickup point with the operator after booking.

Pickup instructions

Your guide will meet you at your hotel, Galataport cruise port, or one of the designated meeting points. Depending on your location, you will travel together to the Old City on foot, by metro, or by taxi. Transportation costs are not included.

What's included

Included

  • Private Licensed Tour Guide Exclusively For Your Group

Not included

  • (Use of public transportation depends on the location of your accommodation and your preference.)
  • Lunch
  • Admission tickets (optional). Pay only for the attractions you choose to enter.
  • Gratuity (suggested)

Good to know

Accessibility & suitability

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Traveller requirements

  • Minimum 1 traveller per booking
  • Maximum 15 travellers per booking
  • Age bands: Infant (0–2), Child (3–17), Adult (18–99)

Additional information

  • On Sundays, when the Grand Bazaar is closed, the Spice Bazaar can be visited instead.
  • Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.
  • For tours starting after noon, some sites may not be visited due to closing times.
  • The duration of the tour may vary depending on crowds, your walking pace, and the attractions you choose to visit.

Languages

Guide
English

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

  • 1+ days before100% refund
  • 0–1 days before0% refund
  • This experience requires good weather. If it's cancelled due to poor weather, you'll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Important booking information

Booking cut-off
Bookings close 2 hours before the activity starts.
Confirmation
Confirmed immediately after booking.
Tickets
One per booking
Local time zone
Europe/Istanbul
Product code
5489148P1

What you'll be asked when booking

  • Age of each traveller
  • First name of each traveller
  • Last name of each traveller
  • Your preferred pickup point
  • Any special requirements
  • Drop-off address
  • How you are arriving
  • Cruise arrival time
  • Cruise ship name

Traveller reviews

5.0/ 594 reviews
  • 594

Ratings aggregated from Viator (53) and Tripadvisor (41).

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Ready to book Istanbul Old City Highlights: Private Walking Tour?

From USD 90 per person · Free cancellation available

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Activity information provided by Viator, an authorized travel partner. Gateera does not operate this activity.

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